Reunion with the Huns

My brother Lyndon and his wife Nancy  are members of World Mark, a timeshare organization that they love.  He arranged for four condominiums for our four families for the week of May 18-25 in Depoe Bay, Oregon.  Each condo overlooks the Pacific Ocean…..and our spaces are wonderful!

We began the week with some trepidation; the entire week before the forecast for the weather was for rain every single day of our week.  It did not turn out that way; it was cloudy a lot of the time, but we did have full sun for some of our stay.

Our first dinner was in the room — everyone was tired — most  come from either Texas, Idaho, Seattle or LA that day.  We, on the other hand, were acclimated!  And only come from Portland.

Sunday dawned bright and beautiful — Michael went outside to shoot some hoops while we put our donuts out for consumption and awaited the arrival of the Huns.  They came and shared the bounty…

 

Lyndon

Sarah, Barbara and Nick

Nancy and Beth

Lyndon and John

Nancy wanted a backpack….so Lyndon found one for her!

Sarah and Beth

Almost all off. the Huns — we didn’t quite have everyone here at one time!  No surprise!

Everyone in the group went for a 3 1/2 mile hike to Silver Lake — except John and me.  We struck out on our own; we went out for a walk on the walkway behind the resort and took some pictures of the beautiful rocks and surf.

We stopped by the recreational center to check out the indoor-outdoor pool and spa. Then we headed into Depoe Bay for lunch at Gracie’s See Hag (what a name) and some shopping.  I loved the Rube Goldberg-like ball thing

Then we headed down the coast — first stop:  Devil’s Punchbowl — wonderful!

Then we stopped at every scenic overlook and took in the beauty.

Gorgeous beach — with wet-suited surfers…..

And a nice ending to the afternoon with a soak in the outdoor hot tub.  Good jets!!!

Meanwhile, the heartier group went on their hike…..that started two hours away by car.  They saw some wonderful waterfalls on the hike.  Photos are courtesy of Michael!!

The day ended with a beautiful sunset….

Monday we were scheduled to go on a whale watch.  The Jenkins clan had the entire boat to ourselves — with our captain Carrie and her Golden Doodle (I think).  Actually, we became the Jenkins Seal Team because the boat was formerly a Seal Team boat — very cool.  Carrie showed us an instructional movie; we looked at some exhibits and we were off.  We had only been out of the cove about five minutes and the weather became much windier.  It is much harder to spot a whale’s blow when you are bobbing up and down between swells……but we persisted!

That’s Carrie checking John’s life jacket.

Yes, I did walk down all those steps to get to the dock…..

I never got the picture of the sole whale that we saw….but Carrie did.  Also a Western Gull.

Coming back to the dock we did see some sea lions and their babies — not very good pictures, but they were very cute.  After we got off of our boat, I was put into a smaller one and ferried over to another lower dock that John could drive to and pick me up.

The debriefing of the others…..

We ventured further south to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse.  Michael got an little (lot) bored with the instructional material but we didn’t stay too long!

Loved the door protectors shaped like a lighthouse.

Amazing rookery….

Had to pose!!!!!!

Drove into Newport to the quaint, older shopping area and walked around with Anne and Heather.

NO, we didn’t stop in 🙂

On Tuesday we headed to Sea Lion Cave to start the day.  The whole group went in all the cars.  We stopped once on the way to look at an overlook.

Michael kissed the sea lion.

Inside the cave you could see the sea lions sitting on the rock — and occasionally getting washed off by the waves.

This is where the water rushes in.

In nice weather the sea lions group outside on the cliff.

No, the scooter did not like going back up this hill.  Michael had to give me a little assist.

In the next picture is Heceta Head Lighthouse.  In Lyndon’s opinion, his favorite.  However, there is a hike to get to it……so we just took photos.

Time to pose for some pictures while it’s beautiful outside:

We continued back north toward Newport, stopping this time at all the lookouts.  At some point it started sprinkling, then raining on us.

We realized that our one stop on the way south must have been here — but looking from the other side of it.

Michael was first back in the car…..and wouldn’t let John in…..for a small bit!

We met up with our group at the Rogue Brewery for lunch.

Had to take a second pic after Anne and group arrived.

I’m putting this in now because — if you ever happen to be in Portland — enlarge this picture and read your choices.

 

We all met at 5:00 p.m. in Walt and Carla’s room; we started the evening with Spoons.

Walt awakened from a nap to amuse us all….

And the sunset was ridiculous….

Carla had made beef stew the night before and heated that up and she made a big pot of spaghetti.  We all thought we had eaten our “big” meal and we all lapped up the offerings.  Thanks, Carla!!!

We moved on to “Heads Up” — so much fun and so funny to watch the other team when you’re not playing.  At 10:00, us older folks left, but Carla, Amy & George and Michael apparently played Spades until 1:00 or 1:30 a.m.  Michael had never played before but is now hooked!  Judging from his conversation the next morning, John and I think he would be a great bridge player 🙂

Everyone went different ways on Wednesday; we opted to set out on our own for Lincoln City.  Michael was obsessing playing Spades as we drove.

 

I’ve seen these huge bushes all over the Pacific Coast and they are absolutely gorgeous but I didn’t know what they were.  Finally, on Wednesday I googled my way to their name Rhodedendron.   They are in full bloom now with lots of colors.

And this is equisetum….beautiful but spreads like bamboo….

We stopped in at a glass studio and I found a great piece and so did John.

The glass blower’s dog Kashka.

He loved Michael and covered him with his shedding hair; we had to stop to get a lint brush to fix it.

Next we drove all through Lincoln City ending up at Mo’s Seafood — just great!

We passed this sign and Michael decided he needed a new career — this seemed to pay well!!!!

We had a lazy afternoon while I worked on my blog and then met up for a good-bye dinner for Amy and George who fly out in the morning.  We had been once to Tidal Raves, but went back with the whole group.

Our adventures on Thursday took us first to the Tillamook Air Museum.  The guys really enjoyed it; I found it somewhat interesting but the hangar was cold and I didn’t wear my coat because I thought I was going inside.  I did take a picture of a very old drone used by the military; Ryan has a drone and I thought he might like to see it.  Much, much larger than those of today.

My goofball grandson zooming around the parking lot!

John and Michael boarded this plane.

And Michael posed inside another cockpit.

These are locations where blimps were located during WWII.

We bought Michael a jacket like this when he was a little boy….so he had to pose in the grown up version….

We passed by the high school football stadium and thought they had an unfortunate name.  But it’s not nearly as bad as a friend of Michael’s Illinois high school — the Corn Jerkers!!!  Rah, Rah Cheesemakers!

Our next stop was the Blue Heron French Cheese Bakery; they sold a little of everything — a fun stop!

We thought we were getting Tillamook ice cream there, but we didn’t like their selection so we zipped by the Tillamook Creamery for a quick snack.

And, I know it’s overkill….but more rhododendron!!!  I love them, but I guess they would not love Texas….  And I don’t remember what the last one is called; I have seen it before.

We moved on to Cape Meares Lighthouse.  It is built on the highest ground on the Oregon Coast so it is the shortest lighthouse so as not to end up in the low lying clouds.  I went inside but did not climb up; look for the picture of John waving at me from inside.

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The rest of the group had gone another route involving a hike…..that turned into quiet a long hike for Barbara and Nick because Lyndon was talking to Walt and Nick and Barbara forged ahead and missed a turn-around…..  We met up with them for an early dinner at Pelican Brewery.  Lots of fun once again!

Just an odd looking rock out the front….and then some Hun high jinx in the parking lot.

They all came up to our room, joined by Anne and Heather after we got back to WorldMark for some party time…..until I shooed everyone out at 10:00 p.m.

Friday, our last day was a pretty laid back day.  It was raining and we needed to pack and John needed to work some more.  Late morning Michael and I headed out to the Oregon Coast Aquarium.  He wasn’t overjoyed to be going but was a good sport for me 🙂

I think the first guy below looks like a ghost.  And the next is one all pulled inside.

A fish is trapped in their sticky fingers and, unless he can get away, will be eaten!!!!

Bebe at the petting zoo….

So slimy looking….

But graceful

A sea nettle….

And puffins!!!

And a quick lunch at Moe’s in Newport.

So, an aside:  Kathryn will be spending the summer in Chicago interning for CNA.  She and her friend Brittany went to a wedding outside of Dallas on Saturday, May 18th and on Sunday they started driving — to Chicago — by way of the west coast.  Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, San Francisco then 10 hours of driving to Depoe Bay, arriving Friday afternoon late.  Then driving on Saturday to Seattle, giving Heather a ride home.  Of course, they stayed with us Friday and then the plan was to stay with Heather for two nights.  Nice addition to our trip!!!

Later on Friday I went for a solo walk on the path behind the resort.  The day started rainy, but had just turned to grey and colder….but I wanted to feel it one more time!

John waving from the balcony.

Then at about 4:30 p.m., Kathryn and Brittany arrived from their long drive from San Francisco — 10 hours…..but beautiful, they said.

The whole group (minus Amy & George) had dinner together at Moe’s in Newport (yes, I ate fried clam strips twice in one day — once in Lincoln City and once in Newport — yum!) and then posed for the “official” family portrait with the senior Huns seated.  Brittany was our photographer.

And our Jenkins tradition — “Where’s your pit?”  That is what my brother Walt taught my precious first child Susan when she was about one year old.  It has been passed on…..

So on that uplifting note I will leave you for this trip.

Love to All,

Beth